Bhubaneswar: After 20 days of protest, undertrial prisoner Duna Keshav Rao, alias Azad, ended his indefinite hunger strike at Jharpada Jail Tuesday. He withdrew the strike after the Odisha government informed the State Human Rights Commission (OHRC) of its decision to establish an independent court to expedite hearings in his pending cases. Rao’s health is reported to be stable, and he remains under medical observation. Rao, who has been in custody for 14 years, began his hunger strike October 15, demanding the speedy trial of all cases pending against him, in line with a Supreme Court directive.
Earlier, the OHRC had directed the State Home Secretary to submit a compliance report on the actions taken by October 31. When the report was not submitted, the Commission issued a reminder, extending the deadline to November 4.
The Supreme Court, on August 31, 2025, directed the governments of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to establish independent courts to ensure Rao’s right to a speedy trial under Article 32 of the Constitution. A Bench comprising Justice Suryakant and Justice Jaymalya Bagchi ordered that all cases against Rao be concluded within one year of the formation of the special court.
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During his hunger strike, Rao communicated his protest to the President, Chief Justice of India, the Chief Justices of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh High Courts, the National and State Human Rights Commissions, and state legal authorities. His family and legal advisors also staged symbolic protests outside Jharpada Jail. Due to deterioration in his health condition, Rao was shifted to Capital Hospital on October 22, where senior advocates Vishwapriya Kanungo and Niranjan Mahanti met him and urged him to temporarily suspend his hunger strike.
However, Rao remained firm on continuing his protest until an official confirmation was received from the Odisha government regarding the establishment of an independent court for his cases. Following the government’s formal decision to create the special court and after obtaining financial approval from the State Finance department, Rao finally ended his 20-day strike Tuesday. He was assisted during the process by his younger brother Duna Kumar and legal advisor Kameshwar Rao, who had been closely monitoring his condition.
The Odisha government has now been instructed to submit a detailed action report to the OHRC within 15 days, outlining the steps taken to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has reportedly begun initiating measures to set up a similar independent court in Srikakulam district to expedite trials in related cases.
